Finalisation of purchase by Gruppo Banca Carige of 22 branches of Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena

Genoa, Siena, – Banca Carige and its Group companies, Cassa di Risparmio di Carrara and Banca del Monte di Lucca, have signed today the final agreements for the purchase of 22 branches of Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena for a total consideration of EUR 130 mln, calculated on the basis of total customer deposits as at 30/09/2009.

As at 30 September 2009, the branches covered by the agreements had approximately EUR 1,537 million in total customer deposits and around € 840 million in loans to customers.

BANCA CARIGE

Ufficio Comunicazione Esterna e Rapporti con la Stampa (Media Relations)

Tel. 010 579 2697

Fax 010 579 4927

Investor Relations

16123 GENOVA GE

tel. 39 010 579 4877

fax 39 010 579 4875

e-mail: investor.relations@carige.it

BANCA MONTE DEI PASCHI DI SIENA

Media Relations

Tel: 0577.299927

Fax: 0577.294148

e-mail: ufficio.stampa@banca.mps.it

Strategic Planning, Research & IR

Tel: 0577.296477

e-mail: investor.relations@banca.mps.it